Care should be taken with cars and other objects of value as the excretions and sooty mould are detrimental to painted surfaces.

Sooty mould is a secondary fungal problem and the indirect result of honeydew secretions; it can also be unsightly and damaging to surrounding objects such as vehicles.

Other Pests

Other invertebrate pests that are of concern are leaf miners, mites and thrips and in some circumstances all of these pests can affect a tree at the same time. Our treatments use the newer highly systemic insecticides that target the insect orders Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Thysanoptera and non insects such as Acaria. Applications of the Neonicotinyl insecticide imidacloprid i.e. SilvaShield® or Confidor® will not control Lepidopteran insects such as Leaf Miners.

Older or first generation neonicotnyls such as imidacloprid increase mite fecundity and induce Mite Flare. We have phased this chemistry out as a treatment option in preference to newer compounds that have a wider spectrum of activity. Image on left demonstrates the results of a street tree trial using SilvaShield® (imidacloprid) at high end elm leaf beetle rates. Treatment had no effect on Oak Leaf miner but was effective on Oak Aphid.

Powdery Mildew Microsphaera Alphitoides

The initial symptoms of this fungal disorder appear in late spring as small brown spots which will later turn white; these smudgy white mycelial lesions are visible on the upper leaf surface. The ensuing damage can be quite significant; new leaves and shoots are disfigured resulting in partial defoliation, reduced growth, vigour and tree decline.

All methods of application are effective

Canopy spraying or air blasting is a good option for seasonal control; it is less damaging to the environment compared to soil injection, as very low levels of chemical penetrate into the soil profile. Direct tree injection is the preferred method, this uses the trees vascular system to evenly translocate chemistries to the leaf mass, treatments are effective and guaranteed for two or more years.

Avoid major damage and serious overall decline in your oak trees – talk to Elmsavers about the best treatment at the right time for your trees.